Jane's Defense News

Key Points The USN has a gap in its capability for the high-fidelity representation of multiple ASCM seekers to support SEWIP operational testing DOT&E has proposed a UAV-based solution as an alternative to the captive-carry of the ASCM seeker simulators by manned aircraft Shortfalls remain

Key Points Geospatial mapping of maritime piracy-related security risks can produce more nuanced assessments than simple 'no-sail' or 'high-risk' zonal charting. In the case study of Southeast Asia, the current tanker hijacking threat primarily relates to areas off the east coast of peninsular

South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) posted further losses in fiscal year 2015 due mainly to downturns in its non-defence businesses. HHI - one of the country's biggest naval shipyards - said sales in 2015 declined 12% to KRW46.23 trillion (USD38.6 billion), while net losses

BAE Systems expects to sell additional batches of Hawk training aircraft to India as work continues between the company and its Indian partners to develop advanced versions of the best-selling jet. According to BAE Systems' Director of Hawk Aircraft Programmes, Alun Fishburne, these orders will go

Japan's biggest defence corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has posted strong quarterly gains, helped by expanding defence orders, the group said on 4 February. MHI said that group sales up until the end of the third quarter in fiscal year 2015 reached JPY2,832.6 billion (USD24.2

Key Points Navantia is to advance the delivery of two BAM vessels ordered by Spain in 2014 The Spanish Navy is now expected to receive the ships in 2018, instead of 2019 Navantia is to bring forward to 2018 the delivery of two corvette-style BAM patrol vessels it is building for the Spanish Navy.

Indian company Punj Lloyd has formed a joint venture (JV) with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) to produce a range of firearms for the Indian defence and security markets. An official from Punj Lloyd told IHS Jane's on 4 February that equity in the JV will be split 51:49, with the Indian company

Rheinmetall Defence Australia has appointed Gary Stewart as chief operations officer to drive its growth in Australia and New Zealand. Stewart's responsibilities will include enhancing Rheinmetall Defence Australia's footprint in the region as well as implementing technology-transfer projects

Americas Bolivia - 3 February 2016: State oil company YPFB guaranteed the supply of fuel despite a protest by truck drivers that had blocked roads and border crossings. Chile - 4 February 2016: In Vilcún, Araucania, a group of unidentified people attempted to explode an improvised explosive

The Lebanese military is to receive more than 200 French-made armoured vehicles as part of a pledged USD3 billion grant from Saudi Arabia to upgrade its capabilities. The contract was signed on 2 February between Volvo-Renault trucks and ODAS, a company created by the French government to serve as

Norway has downselected four contenders for its 155 mm self-propelled artillery (SPA) procurement programme, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (DMA or Forsvarsmateriell) told IHS Jane's on 4 February. Norway currently operates 14 ageing M109A3GN tracked SPAs, which are in need of replacement by

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received the last of the Mil Mi-17V-5 'Hip' medium-lift platforms it ordered from Russian Helicopters, ahead of the expected signing soon of a contract for more, it was announced on 2 February. Delivery of this final batch of the 151 Mi-17V-5 helicopters for India

US Navy leaders, defence civilian officials, and industry representatives discussed the evolving concept of 'distributed lethality' at the recent Surface Navy Association symposium. Grace Jean assesses the debates that took place In early 2015, the US Navy (USN) unveiled its 'distributed lethality'

Key Points Industry and operators are looking to heavy fuel engines Onboard power generation key to supporting UAV capability growth The next generation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will not emerge until advances in engine technology are achieved and introduced, according to Jim Edmondson,

Malaysia is looking at ways to upgrade elements of its fleet of armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) to extend its operational life, even though the country is currently taking delivery of 257 AV8 8x8 vehicles from local company DEFTECH, the first of which were delivered from the FNSS production line

Key Points The USN will pursue development of a carrier-based tanker instead of a surveillance and/or strike UAV In order to accelerate acquisition of stealth technology and to increase the range of its strike assets, more F-35Cs will instead be added to the FY 2017 budget US Navy (USN) officials

Airbus, having submitted a bit for Canada's fixed-wing search-and-rescue (FWSAR) replacement programme, is teaming with Provincial Aerospace on a new company that would provide services for Airbus' entry, the company announced on 11 January. 11 January was the final date for bidders to submit their

EVENT On 12 January 2016, Myanmar's Opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi addressed the opening of the peace conference, following the signing of a nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). Suu Kyi pledged to end decades of conflict with the country's armed insurgents

US aviation and defence firm HEICO announced on 12 January that it had completed the acquisition of Robertson Fuel Systems. The deal, first announced on 21 December, saw HEICO pay Robertson's private equity owners American Securities USD255 million in cash for the business. Robertson designs and

A McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter aircraft of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) crashed on 12 January, killing both crew members. The aircraft came down in the country's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan after suffering unspecified 'technical problems', state